I know people disagree with me on this, but I don't like to open presents in front of everyone and I usually get really bored during that part of a shower anyway. So, for my shower I wanted more of an open-house/display shower where guests can bring their gifts unwrapped and display them on a table. We will provide cards so people can identify which gift is theirs (if they want to).
My question is how to write the invites?? My three sisters are throwing me the shower, but asked me if I wanted anything specific. This is really my only request, so I'm trying to give them ideas for invitation wordings instead of making them figure something out.
Has anyone seen anything cute and tactful???
I can only seem to find slightly rude/inappropriate ones, such as:
...please go green and do not wrap,
because all we do is throw away that crap...
...to spend more time with mommy-to-be,
please wrap gifts in cellophane for all to see...
I don't want to "mandate" that the gift needs to be wrapped only in clear cellophane or that no wrapping is allowed. I know some people will still wrap their items, which is fine, but I'm not doing a big gift opening.
Re: Display Shower Invite Wording
I know people don't agree with the no opening gifts idea. I want a more casual atmosphere where people can come and go, eat, mingle, and where I can actually spend time talking to people. I plan on personally thanking them for coming to celebrate with me when they arrive and sending thank you cards later.
I am merely asking if anyone has an idea for invite wording. If you could respond to that, I would appreciate it.
We are planning a "Meet the baby" type gathering once we are home with our LO. And at the bottom of the 'invite' it will simply say:
Your presence is present enough.
We are hoping to have a super casual gathering and I, too, do not want to open gifts in front of people...therefore, I think this is the only way to 'get around' that issue.
GL to you!!
edited: I realize that my comment doesn't really help you with your display type shower...but it is really hard to strongly encourage guests to do things without being a tad rude.
Honestly, you should get over your issues and open the gifts. Part of the joy of giving a gift is seeing a person's reaction.
I don't like being the center of attention and having people wait for my reaction when I open their gift, a lot of people don't. But you know what, it is part of being a gracious guest of honor. If people are kind and generous enough to take time out of their day to buy, wrap and give me a gift, I can take a few seconds to plaster a smile on my face and say thank you.
The only way that I can see doing this is just be direct.
Don't try to be cute just simply say what you would say if you were taking to them directly.
" We are having a shower for Katie, and you all know she isn't really a fan of being on display. So we thought that instead of making her uncomfortable, that we would display the gifts on a table for all to see. This way instead of an hour of gift opening she would be free to visit with everyone in a more casual setting. So we ask that you bring your gifts unwrapped or that you use cellophane so Katie can see the wonderful things you picked out for the little one. "
Ita with the whole point of a shower is opening presents and unless it's local tradition, your guests are going to be confused/disappointed/upset that you're not doing it.
However, if you're doing a traditional open house, don't register, don't mention gifts, and if anyone brings a present, open it as soon as they give it to you. But I still think you're going to peeve people off/confuse them.
He's the single greatest thing I've done in my life and reminds me daily of how fun (and funny) life can be. He's turned out pretty swell for having such a heartless and evil mother.
So our time can be spent with the Mother-to-Be, Please bring gifts wrapped to see. Clear paper works fine ? Or wrap it in twine. We?ll put them on display in a most classy way!?
?The adorable baby gifts will be put on display ? So no need to wrap in any way- a ribbon or twine will do just fine, leaving us free to visit and dine!
As another poster said, it's actually being a gracious guest of honor and doing what your guests expect and many really do want you do to - open their gift in front of them.
~Benjamin Franklin
DS dx with celiac disease 5/28/10
I had a display shower for my baby shower in my hometown and the invitation simply said that you were invited to a "display shower honoring..."
Display showers are common in my hometown and are considered more formal than a shower where you open the gifts. The local shops specialize in this and people will typically choose something off your registry and the shop will wrap it on a board with cellophane. The shop will either put the person's name on a card or the gift giver will leave a 'calling card' to put on it and then the shop delivers all of the gifts to the shower.
There are always people who bring the gift with them and typically hand it to the guest of honor who will comment on it/thank them and then set it out with the other gifts. I really enjoy display showers since you have more time to actually interact with your guests.
I think the only legitimate way to get away with a "no wrapped gifts" shower is if the mothers is very eco-conscious and everyone knows this about her. I have a friend like this and wouldn't dare wrap a gift for her and waste paper. But unless you are known in your circle for being super-green, this will not fly.
I might suggest having an "open house to celebrate mother-to-be" instead of a "baby shower". And mention no registry. Then, if guests come with gifts, greet them and open the gift right way and then have the hostess display it on a table.
If you don't want to be the center of attention, don't have a shower. That is the point of a shower, all of the focus is on you and giving you/watching you open gifts as it is a party for you to shower you with gifts. Giving people instructions on how to give you a gift is extremely rude. As PP said, why should your guests have to walk on eggshells to do something nice for you. Personally, wrapping the gift and watching someone open it is half of the fun for me, no matter what the occasion.
If you are so uncomfortable being in the spotlight, wait until the baby is born and have a Meet the Baby party. Don't mention gifts on the invitation, although people will probably bring them and you won't be required to open them then and there, and none of the focus will be on you, all eyes will be on the baby.
That would be REALLY regional. If you sent out a "Trousseu Tea" invitation around here, people would be like WTF?
Exactly.
He's the single greatest thing I've done in my life and reminds me daily of how fun (and funny) life can be. He's turned out pretty swell for having such a heartless and evil mother.
Usually if you have to ask if there is a nontacky way that means that there really isn't but you are hoping that someone will tell you that its okay and to do it anyway.
People are going to spend time and money on you and your baby. Suck it up, put a smile on and unwrap your gifts. I like the game idea that a PP had.
Yeah, no offense but I seriously do NOT think using the word crap on an invitation would be appropriate. That would rub me the wrong way!!
Ummm....Liz4444 was being sarcastic....So reading comprehension fail on your part.
I'm glad someone gets me, where have you been all of my life! BTW, I love your siggy, I may have to start using that!
Do you want to be my Bump wife? Lol. I found my siggy pic looking for something else on Google.
I'm going to need a virtual ring!
Will you be my Bump wife?
The pic isn't showing up, but yes, I accept! Yay, now I get to start planning my bump wedding!
Woo hoo!! I fixed the pic. Let me know if you want another ring!
I still can't see it!
Better?
Seriously open the gifts! i like this game idea, since it bores you to open gifts
delete
I don't think a display shower is a good idea, especially if it's not the done thing in your town.
At my shower we did food and mingling followed by some games and then we opened gifts while people ate their cupcakes. Plenty of people left right before or during the gift-opening part; they still were there for a good amount of time and got to mingle, but they weren't tortured by watching gifts be opened if they didn't want to be there. This still gives the people who love to see the gifts be opened an opportunity to stay and enjoy watching while they keep snacking and chatting.
DD #1: 2012; MMC: 2014; DD #2: 2015; It's a boy! 3/31/2018
I don't have a specific idea for the wording, mainly because I think it's a ridiculous idea. One of the ways to show appreciation for the gifts your guests give you at a shower is to open the gifts at the shower. You typically give a public thank you at the shower and you follow it up by sending a written thank you as well. So you want to eliminate one of the main purposes of the shower? I can't get on board with that idea. As PP mentioned, you could incorporate the gift opening with a game, such as gift bingo. Then again, you really shouldn't be planning your shower so none of this should be your concern. You should just show up and enjoy and be thankful for their generosity... There's more than enough time at your shower to mingle with guests and still be able to open the gifts. Just suck it up and open them.
If you're dead set against opening gifts in front of everyone, you could always just wait until the baby is born and most a meet the baby party. Gifts aren't expected and if a guest chooses to bring a gift, they won't expect you to open it while they're there.
Great wording suggestions.
OP, I can understand your thought process behind this, despite how people get so upset on here about it. In fact, I'd thank you for sparing me hours of un-ending gift opening so we can catch up and mingle for longer. Gifts are still on display for to be ooh-ed and aah-ed over. My vote is for the first wording option above.
Seeing as the word "trousseau" means "the personal possessions of a bride - usually including clothes, accessories, and household linens and wares," I'm pretty sure that calling it a Trousseau Tea would just leave people really, really confused. A Trousseau Tea is done before a wedding. It's not a type of baby shower.
Katie,
I am in the same position as you. This is exactly what I want to do, and I am having the same dilemma.
All I'm reading are opinions on the idea of the shower instead of responding to your inquiry. Personally, I think everyone's showers should reflect their requests, and most of my family/friends will understand. Since I am unsure as to what I am doing just yet, I will be in touch and let you know how me & my family approach it. Let me know how you make out as well.
I think my favorite so far is tracey0310 suggestion:
?The adorable baby gifts will be put on display ? So no need to wrap in any way- a ribbon or twine will do just fine, leaving us free to visit and dine!
The above posts are a bit dramatic! It's your shower and your guests will enjoy it more if you are more comfortable and relaxed!!
Two wording options below- I think they are both great!
The pregosaurus is a beast
needs her time to gloat and feast
Can't be bothered to unwrap a gift
Precious fingers, they can't lift.
So listen here, don't bother to wrap
all she wants is to get your cr@p
Follow the registry to the T
Put it in plastic for everyone to see
You'll make her happy, you'll make her day
Give the gifts and get on your way
He's the single greatest thing I've done in my life and reminds me daily of how fun (and funny) life can be. He's turned out pretty swell for having such a heartless and evil mother.
I would LOVE to see someone wrap one of the gifts TOTALLY in twine. Do you know what twine is?